alpaca

noun

al·​paca al-ˈpa-kə 

1

: a domesticated mammal (Vicugna pacos synonym Lama pacos) especially of Peru that is probably descended from the vicuña

2

a

: wool of the alpaca

b(1)

: a thin cloth made of or containing this wool

(2)

: a rayon or cotton imitation of this cloth

Illustration of alpaca

• alpaca 1

Examples of alpaca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Including five horses, five mini horses, two alpacas, and two livestock protection dogs, the listing says. —Tj MacIas, Sacramento Bee, 10 June 2024

Also: The fair will also have the Great American Petting Farm, goat-milking demonstrations, alpacas and Sky River Butterfly Farms. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2024

Farm cats, domestic poultry, the odd carnivore species, and a herd of alpacas in Idaho have also been infected with this strain of the virus. —Helen Branswell, STAT, 5 June 2024

Last week, the USDA reported that alpacas in Idaho also have contracted the virus. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Aymara allpaqa

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

alpaca

noun

al·​paca al-ˈpak-ə 

1

: a mammal with fine long woolly hair domesticated in Peru and related to the llama

2

: wool of the alpaca or a cloth made of it

also : a rayon or cotton imitation of this cloth

Etymology

Spanish